1. TASK TWO – Key words? What to think about?
A magazine is running a series of articles about the latest trends in music, film, television and fashion.
The articles are aimed at teenagers.
Choose one or more of these topics and write your article.
Will need to use appropriate format:
headings, sub-headings, images
& captions
Which of these topics
do I know most
about?
Will need to inform, give opinions and reasons, be light-hearted, fun
How many?
Language / tone / topic will have to be appropriate:
imagine I’m advising fellow students

2. Create a plan …(bullet points can provide paragraphs!)
Decide which topics to cover – film and music
Identify with the audience – what are they doing, thinking, worrying about, etc
Offer one less worry – to read up latest trends
Benjamin Button
Confessions of a shopaholic / He’s not that into you
Hip hop – Kanye West, Chris Brown
Manufactured pop – Lady Gaga

3. Use a headline and strapline …
What’s hot? What’s not?
Jasper Gates begins our new series about the latest trends and goes in search of the latest teen flicks, discovering that it’s a laugh-a-minute in some quarters … OR
Jemima Digby begins our new series about the latest trends by investigating the serious world of fashion and she discovers how to avoid becoming a fashion disaster this summer. Read on for the low-down on the latest teen looks to keep you ahead of the game …

4. It’s official. Revision makes you boring, as does trigonometry, an excessive interest in photosynthesis and the ability to recite large chunks of Lady Macbeth’s speeches. No, there’s no need to thank me for reminding you that there’s more to life than exams and no, despite what your teachers may tell you, your head will not self-combust if you don’t complete their homework by the (highly unreasonable) deadline.

5. So, this weekend, kick back your heels, have fun and (dare I say it
So, this weekend, kick back your heels, have fun and (dare I say it?) be a social bunny for a change. To help you make this transition, I’ve checked out the latest movie trends and let me tell you, there’s a lot to chuckle about. It may be snowing outside, but there’s plenty to warm your little hearts too, and give you the ‘ahhh!’ factor along the way.
Feeling sentimental? Go for The Curious Tale of Benjamin Button, starring the oh-so-gorgeous Brad Pitt, even if he is old enough to be your dad (eugh!). We follow Benjamin on his journey through life, but with one difference: he’s ageing backwards! You need to see the special effects to believe them – they’re awesome. The only thing that might get you down is how long the film is – over two hours! How can anyone sit still for that long? The other downside is that the auditorium will be full of oldies (mums love Brad Pitt), so you’ll have to put up with lots of ‘shushing’.

6. If you fancy something a bit lighter, something that’ll be great for having a laugh and chilling out with your mates, opt for Steve Martin’s latest: Pink Panther II. It’s hilarious and it won’t hurt your brain trying to follow the plot either. It’s pretty similar to the first film, just even more bizarre (in a good way!), so if you liked that one, you’ll love this one too.
The other big trend at the moment is for the girlies out there, and there’s bags of choice: Confessions of a Shopaholic, He’s not that into You, the list goes on and on. You know what you’re getting with these offerings, girls: plenty of great outfits, fit boys, good-looking girls with hair to die for and lots of problems and vicious bullies along the way until our heroine gets her boy at the end and pays back anyone who was every nasty to her. Don’t you just love them?

7. Conclude …
So, all in all, it’s a great weekend for a trip to the movies – take some friends, have a laugh and don’t forget: the homework will still be there when you get home.